I don't know if the French and English builders of the period used the same rib stitching method but the stitching pattern on the Nieuports involved a fairly bulky knot at the top of the rib thus producing quite a bumpy look under the pinking. I saw in image on the web that showed this effect but I can't find it now. I have a couple of xeroxed pages showing details of the knot and stitching technique used by restorers during the restoration of the Nieuport 28 at the Smithsonian. I can image it and post it if you are interested.

jwc